There’s something magical about carnitas. The slow-cooked pork, the crispy edges, the rich spices—it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re sitting at a tiny taco stand on a warm afternoon, lime in one hand, taco in the other. And the best part? Carnitas are naturally keto-friendly with just a couple simple tweaks.
We started making these lettuce-wrapped carnitas tacos when we were craving street tacos but didn’t want to deal with tortillas—low-carb or otherwise. Turns out, wrapping that juicy, crispy pork in cold, crisp romaine or butter lettuce hits every note: texture, flavor, freshness, and ease. The lettuce brings crunch, the pork brings comfort, and together they become something pretty addictive.
This is one of those recipes that’s perfect for meal prep, laid-back dinners, or impressing friends with “how-is-this-keto?” flavor. Make a big batch of carnitas, throw out a taco bar of toppings, and you’ve got a full-on fiesta—without the carbs.
Keto Carnitas Lettuce Tacos
These keto carnitas lettuce tacos are everything you love about street tacos—crispy, juicy pork, bold spices, and zesty toppings—served in a fresh, low-carb lettuce wrap.
Ingredients
For the Carnitas:
For Serving:
Instructions
Cook the Carnitas:
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Prep the pork: Cut pork into large chunks and pat dry. Rub with olive oil and season evenly with oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
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Slow cook: Place pork in a slow cooker with orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours.
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Instant Pot: Use sauté mode to brown pork, then add liquids and bay leaf. Pressure cook on high for 60 minutes and let naturally release for 10 minutes.
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Shred: Remove pork from the liquid and shred with forks. Discard excess fat.
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Crisp it up: Optional but delicious—spread pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5–7 minutes until crispy on the edges.
Assemble the Tacos:
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Wrap & top: Spoon carnitas into lettuce leaves. Top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Add avocado, salsa, or hot sauce if you like.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 ServingCalories:410kcalTotal Fat:28gSaturated Fat: 9gTotal Carbohydrate:6gDietary Fiber: 2gSugars: 2gProtein:34g
Note
Substitutions & Variations
- No pork? Use boneless chicken thighs or beef chuck roast instead.
- Citrus-free? Use a splash of apple cider vinegar instead of orange juice.
- Spicy twist: Add chipotle powder or serve with jalapeños.
- Not into lettuce? Serve as a bowl over cauliflower rice or in a keto tortilla.
